My Favorite Little Happiness Lists
This post today is all about finding a little more light and love in the simplest things in our days! This quote says it all, in my opinion.
“I imagine if Doctor Seuss we’re alive today, he’d say something like this:
The buildings were big and people would smile
And they would travel mile by mile.
But sick they become, in numbers it grew
Businesses worries, communities too.
Things stopped for a bit, the world slowed its roll
The virus had certainly taken its toll.
But what they then saw from slowing things down
Is in fact they now had less reasons to frown.
Families now gathered, what game shall we play?
Pass me the blue crayon, give mommy the grey.
Dads home guys! He’ll read us a book
Then all of us together will cook.
The lungs of the planet caught a small break
Less travel meant less pollution to make.
People did realize it’d all be okay
They don’t need so much to get through the day.
Maybe this virus that caused so much stress
Showed the whole world that more can mean less.” - Patrick Hall
How have you found more in less?
My creative side has actually been loving this extra time at home. I’ve been baking, doing DIY projects, making up fun date nights, and finding so much joy in the simple things that used to be so rushed, or actually doing the things that have gone on the “when I have more time at some point I’ll do this…” Have you found that too?
So I wanted to share the love with you! Whether its a good day or not so good day, I think you’ll find something in this list that you can either use too, or find inspiration with to bring a bit more positivity in your days.
Under each category I’ve listed the little things that are bringing me more joy. I’ve also linked many of the items I’ve been using in each category in case you’ve been wanting to treat yourself (Most of these items are $25 or less). If you have any little things in each day that I’ve missed, please share them below!
Everything from workouts, skincare fun, extra time with my honey, and everything in between!
WORKOUT
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have been LOVING my high intensity workouts out on the patio. All of them have been very minimal equipment. Using mostly body weight has given me such a fun challenge of getting a great workout in using circuits, plyometrics, or HIIT after years of mostly weight training in a traditional gym setting. Quite honestly, I just might continue these when the gyms reopen again! Some of the things we had around our house I’ve been using to make my workouts that much better are:
Hair ties - the ONLY ones that don’t break my hair and give me a headache…seriously!
Headphones - they're only $38 and they’ve worked better than any other pair (including beats) I’ve ever used!
New Workout Shoes - I got these for my birthday! The best motivation!
Bright and Happy Workout Clothes - I love Fabletics, Acta Wear, Forever 21 for Tops, GapFit, or Lulu of course!
IN THE KITCHEN:
Cooking and baking have always been a hobby of mine. I’ve been taking a bit more time to create delicious dinners, bake some healthified yummy treats, and get creative with recipes! Some of the things I’ve been enjoying more the past month are:
Pukka matcha tea while making breakfast. These are just tea bags too, a very easy way to drink the trendy and beloved matcha!
I’ve been trying to cut back on coffee, but I actually love it! So I’ve been making decaf in our Keurig and then using a Coffee Frother to give it the coffee shop experience! We’ve been using “So Delicious” Coconut creamer and it froths like regular milks! Also, frother is the brand “Ozeri” but this is very similar.
I’ll be honest, whenever a recipe usually calls for a Food Processor (or click here for a more affordable option) I get lazy and use my Nutri Bullet instead! But I made the MOST delicious Chocolate Mouse Cake and Lemon Bars this past weekend. The Food Processor is definitely better for the crust! This is a note to my future self to stop being lazy!
Healthified baking - There are SO many ways to recreate your most favorite less than nutritious items, a bit healthier. Let’s be honest, we’re all spending some extra time baking some goodies! Some of my favorite ingredients to use are:
Sweeteners: coconut sugar, dates, honey, maple syrup, applesauce
Adding healthier fats: chia seeds, flax seeds
Flour Options: Bob’s Red Mill products (especially gluten free flour options), Utilizing sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocados for the “bulk” of baking recipes. Trust me, you can’t taste it! Brownies are one of the easiest to remake with healthy options.
SELF/SKIN CARE
This year I’ve been much more motivated to get the clear skin I’ve always wanted, and start taking care of it in a way that I actually should at my age!! My routine has always been very simple, nothing much more than the basics and it’s worked for me. But wrinkles are real, my skin isn’t as clear as I’d like, and it’s about dang time I give it some tender loving care! So this sort of spiraled into having at home spa days that are definitely going to continue well into the future!
Wet brush is the only brush that doesn’t pull out half of my hair post-shower. I’ve hear blondes tangle more easily, is that true? Unsure. But my hair is definitely a tangly mess. This brush does wonders!
I love using my Body brush before a shower. Ive seen so much improvement in the texture of my skin on the backs of my thighs, bum, and upper arms after using it.
I will never not use my Hair towel after washing. Otherwise I drip for like 3 hours, hehe!
These Face washing headbands are what I use on days I don’t wash my hair so that it doesn’t get wet. I also use these when I use masks! Speaking of which…
Sothys Exfoliant is a game changer for uneven skin. As well as the Sothys Absorbant Mask
On that same token, my skin is dry as the freakin’ Sahara desert. I use the Origins mask regularly. It smells AMAZING and works SO well without breaking out.
LaRoche Posey face wash is the face wash I’ve been using the past year. Its very gently, but great for combination skin with breakouts.
I posted this Instagram for my recipe of a DIY face mask. I’ve loved making a big body scrub batch as well with equal parts sugar and salt with about 2 tbsp coconut oil. It makes your skin feel SO soft and nourished!
This Devotional is one I’ve used the past two years. It never fails to speak to me. If you need a little extra support right now (let’s be real, don’t we all?) Definitely give some sort of mindful and slow practice in the morning. Whether its the 5 Minute Journal, a gratitude journal, meditation, intentional moments in prayer, or whatever might work for you. It may seem like a chore if you’ve never tried it, but even just a few minutes of centering can make the world of a difference.
WITH MY HONEY
In “normal life” Tyler and I hardly see each other during the week. Tyler works around 10-14 hours a day usually, so on the weekends we do try to be intentional with our time. Two days just isn’t enough. We generally hangout with friends at least one day, if not both. So quite honestly this time of being forced together with much slower work has been such a blessing. A lot of times, when things are normal, our Sundays are often our time together. But it ends up being full of households chores, grocery shopping, a gym run, and not really spending intentional time together. We have been trying to get creative with what we do on the weekends now and it has been so fun!
One of our new favorite activities is searching through Airbnb for either stays or experiences for places we want to go to in the future. We have an entire spreadsheet of stays we like, cooking classes, walking tours, and special excursions for each city on our list! Such a fun pastime. If you use the link I gave above you can receive $55 off your first booking if you’re new to Airbnb!
Who said the best dates don’t happen at home?! Well, I used to haha. We’ve been having so much fun thinking up at home date nights. One of my favorites came from our adventure challenge book (couples edition). We built a fort in the living room, made dessert, and watched Casablanca! We’re thinking about a themed date this weekend. Think spicy margaritas, Mexican food, mariachi music in the background!
So, I’m strange. Watching TV or movies isn’t necessarily the first thing I want to do with my time. But, Tyler ad I both love it for unwinding at night before bed. We’ve recently gotten into watching documentaries! I have a newfound love for them. Some we’ve watched so far are:
The Game Changers, Our Planet, The Fittest On Earth, The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, The People vs. O.J.
We also started watching movie series instead of tv shows! There are SO many movies everyone talks about that I’ve never seen! So now is the time! Some we’e watched so far are:
Pirates of the Caribbean, Oceans 11, Marvel, Star Wars, James Bond
Honestly we are incredibly picky when it comes to TV shows! It’s quite annoying frankly hehe! These are the only two we’ve stuck with through the end!!
Suits, Madmen
And that’s it friends! Most of my days are slow mornings with intention, a good workout outside for some fresh air, an intentional lunch, some random things in the afternoon around the house or on my “when I have time I’ll do this” list, creativity with dinner, and intentional time with Tyler!
I’d love to hear any of the things that have been a daily staple for you that are making you happy during these times!